Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-03-18
SENATOR EDMUNDs'S VIEWS.
The Administration aud Politics-The
Outlook for 1888


The Washington Star has been inter
viewing Hon. George +. Edmunds Speak
ing of the democratic administration, he
said "In all frankness | must say don't
think 1t has been success, whatever the
desires and intentions of those at the head
of affairs may have been 1t was impossi-
BILE for them to follow out a successful
policy with the weight of party so com
posed upon their shoulders. With such
broad field of administration, the presi-
dent must have others to rely on for as
sstance. But placing reliance in his par
ty must inevitably lead hi:n astray. With
the tremendous pressure of the party be-
hind him, he has been forced into numer-
Gus errors. All presidents, perhaps, may
have made some bad appointments,
but none, | think have been be-
trayed as often as he has. His party is
composed of men who believe that the in
terests of the country demand that they
should have control of the offices. | do
not question their honesty in this opinion
who think that the end justies the means
The party workers-the men who have
worked in the wards and bulldozed and
stripped ballot-boxes and claim the
rewards-are not Suitable to perform
a public trust. A large percentage
of Mr.. Cleveland's appointees have
been either incompetent or improper
persons, or, being competent, have been
rascals. Some of these men he has Sc
lected without knowing anything about
them others he has appointed upon the
Endorsement of members of Congress of
his own party, who nave not hesitated to
betray his confidence. With some work
table of appointments could be made
which would show au immense proper
Of .nlg do i
amount to majority, but, certainly, none
of Mr.. Cleveland's predecessors were as
often betrayed He has been pulled both
ways" the senator continued, between
his civil service reform pledges and the
party pressure. Sometimes he has APP
times to yield to the other. He seems to
stand halfway between the two. One
day he has declared that good official
who was republican, should not be dis
turbed at another time he has yielded
to tremendous party pressure in some
thing else. But there are republicans
still in office, and | think we should give
him credit for what he has done, as in the
case of the preacher who was good four
days in the week, and went off on lark
for two days. We should give him credit
for the good there is in him."
"Do you think the democrats will re-
nominate him ?" asked the reporter.
Yes, there is no one else they could run
with any chance of success. They cannot
nominate any one else and hope to sue
coed" Would he hold the republican
votes he got before :" LAS between two
evils. they would vote for him, though he
has not lived up entirely to what they
understood to be his promises They may
not see how he could have done better with
his party and they may see where thew
will find another who would do as well. -
What you think of the chances of the
republican party in lSSs ~ asked the re
porter. relieving that the republican
party represents the best principles of
government and having confidence IN the
intelligence of the people, and the ability
to discriminate, expect the republicans
to be restored to power" That depends
on the nominee, does it not :" suggested
the reporter. Yes but having con
tdence in the wisdom of my party, think
they are sure to nominate a good man."
who are the prominent men now to the
front - "Ah, excuse me, but do not
care to speak of that. Many things NAV
happen within two years